:::::::::::::::
:: Marissa Ronca - The Interview ::

Marissa Ronca was one of the first people to board the ship bound for Guatemala. She is to thank for convincing us to shoot in the area where she grew up. Not only is she fearless (sneaking us past the ticket booth to "The Land Of Little Horses" like a pro), her calm demeanor sets everyone at ease...everyone that is, except for the old man at Williams Grove....read on...

Q: When Todd asked you to produce this film, which word best describes why you decided to take on the job and why: Pity, Charity, Boredom.

A: Stupidity...as I recall I told you I had never produced a feature and had no idea what to do and you said "who cares...want to produce it anyway?"

Q: You intorduced us to your hometown of Dillsburg by showing off some of the best nearby attractions -- Three Mile island, Williams Grove Amusement Park/Dirt Track, The Silo House. Did you know you were growing up in a goldmine?

A: Growing up, I never heard anyone refer to it as a goldmine. But going back for the shoot did make me feel there were some nuggets of gold I may have overlooked in my youth.

Q: Tell us the story about the owner of Williams Grove...the whole shaking hands bit and the other golden moments you had with him.

A: I couldn't get close enough to have any golden moments with him. He was too deaf to hear me, and phobic about germs so he wouldn't shake my hand.

Q: When you first met Director of Photography Richie Sherman he had a big wintertime beard. I think you said he was "creepy"...but maybe I'm remembering that wrong. What were your impressions of him?

A: Todd, that's mean. I don't remember referring to Richie's beard as creepy, although it was rather scraggly and unkempt as I recall. Kind of like how I think people wore beards during the Civil War. It was SO uncool, it WAS cool....and I had immediate respect for him because of that beard.

Q: Who did you feel you bonded with the most on this shoot?

A: Sage and Jim because we shared a bathroom and had late night talks. Charlie Cline because...well, I'm not really sure why but I did feel a sort of bond.

Q: What about Jeff Hemphill?

A: Jeff and I really bonded at the skating rink. We both like horror movies and I'm interested in Yeti's which is kind of Jeff's area of expertise. He's great.

Q: What was the scariest moment of the shoot?

A: That's easy...watching the Amphicar sink.

Q: If the answer above has nothing to do with the Amphicar, please tell the Amphicar story. Remember to include your impression of that drunk lady.

A: After a short, glorious ride on the river the Amphicar got stuck on some rocks, and eventually filled with water and sank after a portly river rescue diver upended it with his sheer bear strength. It took 8 hours to get it out of there. I can't remember the comments of that one drunk bystander but I do know that Dylan captured the whole thing on tape.

Q: I think only three people said no to you on this shoot. It seems that any stranger immediately loves you and gives you anything you want. What was the biggest success you pulled off on this movie?

A: Wow...thanks, Todd. I'm was most proud and relieved when Knoebel's Amusement Park came on board. Those guys were great and they allowed us to shoot throughout their park, multiple days, for absolutely free.

Q: Who were some of the generous people that helped with the shoot that none of us knew before we started this thing?

A: There were many, many, many generous people. So many I could never name them all, but the first who come to mind are Connie Blieler, Amy Hatfield, and the Steelton Police Department.

Q: Who was the strangest person on the set?

A: I wasn't on the set that much, so lots of people struck me as strange...mainly Andy Nadler and Craig Moorhead though.

Q: Jim & Sage...what's the deal with those two?

A: They're the red-hottest couple I know....physically, emotionally, and sexually. (Jim told me to write that)

Q: How did you feel about the final casting? Do you think the film would have been better or worse with Don Knotts, Paul Reubens or Piper Perabo?

A: Everyone was perfect. If Piper was in the film it would have gone straight to video. With Don Knotts it would have been an instant classic. and with Reubens, the set would have been totally unsafe for all our beloved child actors.

Q: Would you ever do this again? Even if I begged you?

A: As a friend, I think you'd be better off hiring a producer with rich parents or grandparents or old money or some money. But if you don't care about money, and promise not to schedule meetings during The Inferno, and put at least 1 butt in the movie I would consider it.

Q: What did you take away from this shoot that's different from any of the other giant-budget Discovery, Court TV and TLC shows we're all used to doing?

A: Well, unlike the giant-budget, high profile, award winning projects we usually work on, GH taught me how to stretch a buck, beg for things you need, rely on the kindness of strangers, and kill a bee's nest with fire.

Q: Can we give a shout-out to your Dad, Mom, Brian, your brother and former neighors here?

A: Hell yeah...big shout outs to Dad and Deb for letting like 15 smelly people live in their house, Mom & Bryan for helping me find our leading dog, Matt for proudly rocking the GH shirt around Philly, and John & Deb Flanagan for letting me run amuck on their farm for over 10 years now! Also a big shout out to Yuengling for providing our crew with cold, PA brewed beer.

Q: Who should I interview next and why?

A: Sage....because not only is she one half of the dynamic duo we all know and love but she's also pretty damn cool by herself.

 

END

2.08.05